Monday, December 16, 2019

Presidential Message on the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge

Office of the Press Secretary

Presidential Message on the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge



On December 16, 1944, Nazi forces launched their last major offensive campaign on the Western Front of World War II, deep in the Ardennes Forest.  In what would become known as the Battle of the Bulge, the United States and Allied Forces unleashed one of the most consequential—and tenacious—operations in modern military history.  Today, we remember the more than 500,000 brave patriots who faced unimaginable peril, including the more than 19,000 who laid down their lives in the gallant stand against tyranny and oppression that would ultimately liberate Europe from Nazi control and secure a victory for the forces of freedom.

Following the arrival of the monumental Allied victory on D-Day, the Nazis knew the momentum of World War II had swung against them.  In their last effort to turn the tide of the war, they once again underestimated the resiliency and grit of the American troops.

Despite frigid temperatures and the Nazis’ initial success in breaking the American front, our forces fought with the dauntless fortitude that has defined our military men and women since the founding of our great country.  They were led by some of our Nation’s most revered military leaders, but it was ultimately their intrepid and indomitable spirit that fueled our victory.  From Elsenborn Ridge and Clervaux to the critical road junctions of St. Vith and Bastogne, Americans fought furiously to slow the Nazi advances, and in doing so they achieved what British Prime Minister Winston Churchill referred to as “undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war,” which he predicted would be regarded as “an ever-famous American victory.”

Seventy-five years later, we honor the remarkable bravery of the valiant heroes who fought in the “Battle of the Bulge.”  Part of the Greatest Generation, their sacrifices cemented a legacy of proud service and deep devotion to country that will continue to inspire generation after generation of their fellow Americans.
 

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP IS ENSURING THAT FORGOTTEN AMERICANS ARE FORGOTTEN NO MORE

Office of the Press Secretary
PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP IS ENSURING THAT FORGOTTEN AMERICANS ARE FORGOTTEN NO MORE
 “Every day, we are lifting our forgotten Americans off the sidelines, out of the margins, and back into the workforce.” – President Donald J. Trump
DRIVING A RECORD-SETTING ECONOMY: The booming economy and strong labor market allow Americans of all backgrounds to find work and succeed.
  • The current labor market revival is not a continuation of past trends, but instead a direct result of President Trump’s pro-growth policies.
  • Since President Trump was elected, more than 7 million jobs have been added to our economy – surpassing the Congressional Budget Office’s predictions by 5 million jobs.
  • This year, the unemployment rate has fallen to 3.5%, its lowest level in 50 years.
    • Unemployment for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those without a high school diploma have all reached record lows under President Trump.
  • The President’s policies are bringing people off the sidelines and into the labor force. 
    • The prime age labor force has grown by 2.1 million under President Trump.
  • The surge in labor demand has resulted in 7 million job openings, which outnumber job seekers by more than 1 million.
    • Before President Trump took office, there had never been more recorded job openings than unemployed workers.
LOWERING INEQUALITY: President Trump’s policies are helping forgotten Americans across the country prosper, driving down income inequality.
  • Annual nominal wages grew by 3 percent in 2019 for the first time in a decade.
    • Nominal wage growth has now been at or above 3 percent for 16 straight months.
  • Wage growth for many previously forgotten groups is now higher than wage growth for more advantaged groups.
    • This is the case for lower-income workers compared to higher-income workers, workers compared to managers, and African Americans compared to white Americans.
    • These income gains mark a fundamental change compared to before President Trump’s inauguration, contributing to reduced income inequality.
  • When measured as the share of income earned by the top 20 percent, income inequality fell in 2018 by the largest amount in over a decade.
    • The Gini coefficient, an overall measure of inequality in the population, also fell in 2018.
LIFTING UP AMERICANS: The booming economy is lifting millions of Americans out of poverty and providing all people with the opportunity for a brighter future.
  • In 2018 alone, nearly 1.4 million Americans were lifted out of poverty.
    • The poverty rates for African Americans and Hispanic Americans reached historic lows in 2018.
    • Over 600,000 children being raised by single mothers were lifted out of poverty in 2018.
  • The number of people claiming unemployment insurance as a share of the population is the lowest on record.
  • Nearly 7 million fewer people are on food stamps than at the time of the 2016 election.
  • 380,000 fewer people are on Social Security Disability insurance than before the 2016 election.
  • Americans in economically-distressed communities are benefiting from increased investment thanks to the Opportunity Zones included in President Trump’s historic tax reform.

West Wing Reads Retired FBI Official: Comey Was Disgrace to FBI, Falsely Claims IG Report Clears Him

West Wing Reads

Retired FBI Official: Comey Was Disgrace to FBI, Falsely Claims IG Report Clears Him


“The disgraced and sanctimonious Comey has reached new pinnacles of hubris and partisanship. The truth is that his tenure [at] the FBI will live in infamy for the abuses outlined in the inspector general’s report and for inserting this venerable institution directly into politics and partisanship,” retired FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker writes.

The Horowitz report revealed that former FBI Director James Comey and his team “used a dossier (really a collection of memos) paid for by a political opponent that contained ‘unsupported’ and erroneous third-hand information from unidentified sources of unknown reliability” to get permission to wiretap a presidential campaign.

“This should terrify all Americans, regardless of their politics.”

Click here to read more.

The truth: Comey Says He Was ‘Wrong’ About FBI’s Surveillance Abuse
“Democrats have adulterated the impeachment process. They don’t have the facts. They don’t have the law. So they have manipulated the process in an obscene way to advance their obsession to impeach President Trump based solely on their opposition to him and his policies – not because he has done anything wrong,” Rep. Andy Biggs writes for Fox News.
“President Trump basked in a warm round of applause from the crowd as he arrived on the field at the 120th Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia Saturday. Trump clapped and waved to the midshipmen and cadets in the stands, then presided over the coin toss at midfield,” Mary Kay Linge reports for the New York Post.
“At this point, every American concerned about economic growth and prosperity should be cheered by President Trump’s great achievement with the USMCA and China deal. Every American should be equally appalled by a hyper-partisan impeachment process,” White House Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro writes for Fox News.
Income inequality is plummeting in the blue-collar, middle-class Trump Economy. “From the start of the current expansion to December 2016, average wage growth for workers lagged that of managers. Those without a college degree lagged that of college graduates, and African Americans lagged that of white Americans. Since Trump took office, each of these trends has been reversed,” Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump and Director of the Council of Economic Advisers Tomas Philipson write in the Miami Herald.  

The GoldFish Report No. 417, Week 151 POTUS Report: Teflon Don Has Longest Winning Streak in History




On The GoldFish Report No 417, Week 151 POTUS Report, Louisa reports on the big China trade deal and its components, the FISA scam, The Global Magnitsky Act (EO), Paid Family Leave EO and Anti-Semitism EO. Jim reports on some breaking news up front on Biden dropping out of Presidential race and Hillary trying again for Dem Nomination, Corbyn's bloodbath defeat in UK, Fusion GPS founder blames RUSSIA for Boris Johnson's Win, John Durham, :We do not agree with IG Conclusion", Comey's admission FISA abuse was NOT ACCEPTABLE, MCConnell says NO CHANCE' of Trump removal, Dems fleeing sinking Impeachment ship, Criminal case opened in Ukraine about Bidens, Virginia shredding Second Amendment protections and much more. To buy The Russia Hoax by Jim Fetzer, PhD, Please use this link: http://www.lulu.com/shop/jim-fetzer/e... To learn more about Jim Fetzer's research, books and articles, visit www.jamesfetzer.org. Google 'Nobody Died at Sandy Hook' to find a free DVD of the facts. To receive our Reports you can subscribe to our BITCHUTE Channel at https://www.bitchute.com/profile/qrAL... and to become a Patron of The GoldFish Report you can go to our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=10007100 . You can also subscribe to our "NEW" YouTube channel at, and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO-A..., follow us on Twitter at @ReportGoldfish, www.thegoldfishreport.wordpress.com you can also follow us and like us on our 24/7 research news page at www.facebook.com/thegoldfishreport and to help support these and other programs please visit www.thegoldfishreport.com to make a donation. Thank you for your support and Thank you for viewing. Visit our NEW Vimeo on Demand to view our Educational Country Roads Reports at this link here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thegoldfis... To View our NEW Educational Bullet Points Reports use this link here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/174952 For viewer support of The GoldFish Report's Project "The Road to the White House", Please donate at www.thegoldfishreport.com at out PayPal or become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=10007100. Jim Website page: jamesfetzer.org To View The GoldFish Report's POTUS Reports, you can visit our BitChute page or view the unlisted report on YouTube from our POTUS Report page on our website at www.thegoldfishreport.com Weblink to Moon Rock Books Here: http://moonrockbooks.com/ Jim Fetzer on Twitter: @JimFezer DISCLAIMER The following videos were created for educational purposes only. The content of this material strictly for research purposes, and readily available to the general public via the Internet. Viewing of the GoldFish Reports acknowledges that senders and recipients hereby agree to this disclaimer, thus releasing the source author from any and all personal liability. Also, individuals who alter or deviate from this source material, may be exposing themselves to the full extent of law. THE OPINIONS AND HYPOTHESES OF OUR GUESTS AND GUEST CO-HOSTS DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GOLDFISH REPORT POTUS UPDATE. AN OPINION AND HYPOTHESIS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH NEWLY PRESENTED RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE. THE GOLDFISH REPORT POTUS REPORT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INFORMATION THAT MAY BE UNKNOWINGLY INACCURATE, ALTHOUGH WE DO OUR BEST TO PRESENT FACTS, OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES OF WORLD EVENTS AND HOW THOSE MAKING THE DECISIONS MAY IMPACT OUR LIVES. VIEWER DISCERNMENT IS ADVISED. FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of criminal justice, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Copyright 2019 The GoldFish Report. All rights Reserved.

White House Photo's of the Week December 7 - 14, 2019

Office of the Press Secretary
Photos of the Week


Saturday, December 7, 2019

President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks at the Israeli American Council National Summit Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Hollywood, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

 

President Donald J. Trump receives a menorah from Miriam and Sheldon Adelson at the Israeli American Council National Summit Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Hollywood, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

 

President Donald J. Trump applauds the Shalva Band, performers at the Israeli American Council National Summit Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Hollywood, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

 
Monday, December 9, 2019

President Donald J. Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence, delivers remarks at a roundtable on empowering families with education choice Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in the Cabinet Room of the White House.  (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)

 

First Lady Melania Trump delivers remarks at a Toys for Tots Christmas Event Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

 

First Lady Melania Trump greets children attending a Toys for Tots Christmas Event Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

 

First Lady Melania Trump writes Christmas cards to the troops with children attending a Toys for Tots Christmas Event Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)
 


 

First Lady Melania Trump greets service members and their families attending a Toys for Tots Christmas Event Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

 

Vice President Mike Pence participates in the ceremonial swearing-in of Kip Tom, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations for Food and Agriculture Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in the Vice President’s Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Randy Florendo)

 
Tuesday, December 10, 2019

President Donald J. Trump poses for a photo with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, in the Oval Office of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

 

President Donald J. Trump walks with Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2019, along the Colonnade of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

 

President Donald J. Trump talks to members of the press on the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, prior to boarding Marine One to begin his trip to Hershey, Pa. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

 

President Donald J. Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, en route to Hersey, Pa. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

 
Wednesday, December 11, 2019

President Donald J. Trump and Adrienne Brouillette look on as Vice President Mike Pence swears in Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in the Oval Office of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

 

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump look on as Rabbi Moshe Moskowitz lights the Menorah during a Hanukkah Reception Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by D. Myles Cullen)

 

President Donald J. Trump, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, delivers remarks at a Hanukkah Reception Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

 

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump look on as Rabbi Moshe Moskowitz lights the Menorah during a Hanukkah Reception Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

 

President Donald J. Trump holds an Executive Order he signed on combating anti-Semitism Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019,  during a Hanukkah Reception in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

 

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer and conservative commentator Mark Levin join guests as they applaud President Donald J. Trump during a Hanukkah Reception Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

 

Rabbi Binyomin Steinmetz, Rabbi Refoel Stein, and Rabbi Menachem Shemtov transform the White House kitchen into a Kosher kitchen Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, in preparation for Wednesday’s Hanukkah Receptions at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

 

Second Lady Karen Pence decorates Christmas wreaths with congressional spouses Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at the Vice President’s Residence in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Amy Rossetti)

 
Thursday, December 12, 2019

President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks at the White House Summit on Child Care and Paid Leave: Supporting America’s Working Families Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House.  (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)

 

Vice President Mike Pence delivers remarks at the White House’s Women Municipal Leaders Conference Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Randy Florendo)

 

President Donald J. Trump joins faith leaders in prayer Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

 

Vice President Mike Pence meets with United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in his West Wing Office of the White House. (Official White House Photo by D. Myles Cullen)

 

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence, walk down the Grand Staircase of the White House Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, as they greet guests attending the Congressional Ball. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

 

President Donald J. Trump, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence, delivers remarks during the Congressional Ball Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in the Grand Foyer of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

 

President Donald J. Trump poses for photos with guests during the Congressional Ball Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in the Grand Foyer of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

 
Friday, December 13, 2019

President Donald J. Trump poses for a photo with Paraguay President Mario Abdo Benitez Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, at the South Portico of the White House. (Official White House Photos by Tia Dufour)

 

President Donald J. Trump walks with Paraguay President Mario Abdo Benitez Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, along the Colonnade of the White House. (Official White House Photos by Joyce N. Boghosian)

 

President Donald J. Trump welcomes Paraguay President Mario Abdo Benitez Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, to the Oval Office of the White House. (Official White House Photos by Joyce N. Boghosian)

 

President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, joined by White House senior advisors, participates in an expanded bilateral meeting with Paraguay President Mario Abdo Benitez Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in the Oval Office of the White House. (Official White House Photos by Joyce N. Boghosian)

 

BACKGROUND PRESS CALL BY SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ON PHASE ONE OF THE U.S.-CHINA TRADE AGREEMENT

Office of the Press Secretary

BACKGROUND PRESS CALL
BY SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS
ON PHASE ONE OF THE U.S.-CHINA TRADE AGREEMENT


Via Telephone


December 12, 2019
 



2:35 P.M. EST

     MR. DEERE:  Thank you, Operator, and thank you to everyone for joining us today for this background call on the phase one trade deal between the United States and China.

     Our briefers today will include Larry Kudlow, who's the Director of the National Economic Council here at the White House, as well as [senior administration official].

     Mr. Kudlow's comments will be on the record, attributable to him.  And [senior administration official]'s portion will be during the Q&A, which will be on background, attributable to a senior administration official.

     The call is embargoed until we conclude.  And with that, I will turn it over Mr. Kudlow, the Director of the National Economic Council.

     MR. KUDLOW:  Thank you, Judd.  Appreciate it.  Hi, everybody.  I will be brief because I want [senior administration official] to cover most of the important details.  Suffice to say this is a very important first step in solving our trade relations and balances with China.  As President Trump said this morning, it's a large phase one deal.  It's an enormous first step.  It represents an opening of China.

     And I would just add my own view, that the President has vowed to defend American economic interest in general from unfair trading and other problems.  He has vowed to defend the interests of the American worker and farmer and cattleperson and technology people across the board, just as we have with the recently completed USMCA deal.  And this represents another step in that direction.

     Included here are some tariff adjustments, schedules of Chinese purchases of American goods and services, financial service reform, currency reform, intellectual property rights reform, forced transfer of technology reform.  All of the key chapters have been covered in this deal.

     The deal goes into effect almost immediately, just as soon as some paperwork is completed and the translations.  It is expected that Ambassador Lighthizer will sign it with Vice Premier Liu He at the ministerial level.  That will happen in a few weeks.  And phase two begins shortly thereafter.  Actually, maybe phase two has already started.
   
     But to give you over to the person that was involved in the details and the heavy lifting, all through this whole process, my friend, [senior administration official], it's all yours.

     MR. DEERE:  Operator, with that, we will begin the Q&A portion.

     Q    Good afternoon.  Thanks for doing the call.  I'll let either [senior administration official] or Mr. Kudlow take this.  There's been not unanimous a claim for this, especially from some Democratic senators who are expressing concern that, essentially, the United States is giving away things without getting any hard commitments from the Chinese in return.  I wonder how you respond to that criticism.

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Well, we think that this phase one trade deal includes very important, substantial, and specific commitments by China on critically important structural issues.  And those structural issues fall in the areas of intellectual property, technology transfer, agricultural structural issues, financial services, and currency and foreign exchange as well.

     And so we think that these are commitments that are very significant and address issues in a way that have never been addressed before.  They're all enforceable.  There's a very strong, effective enforcement mechanism.  And, of course, there are also commitments relating to purchases over the next two years, and then there's an expectation that those will continue going forward as well.

     So we think this is a historic deal and very strong commitments in all these very important areas.  And, of course, there will be tariffs remaining in effect at 25 percent on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports, as well as 7.5 percent on an additional roughly $120 billion worth of Chinese exports.

     Now, there are additional issues, certainly, that need to be addressed.  And we are committed to doing that in a phase two deal or, you know, in future negotiations.  And so we're committed to resolving those issues there.  But this phase one deal addresses a number of critically important issues in all of those areas.  And I can, you know, explain those in further detail if you would like.

     Q    Hi, yeah.  Thank you for doing the call.  Quick question.  One thing.  One, will we eventually see the text of this agreement?  And, two, describe some of that lasting protections for intellectual property.  What can companies expect under this protection?
   
     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Great.  Thank you.  And it will become public eventually.  We have to go through certain processes, including legal scrub and language authentication.  And we have certain processes that we have to go through with our cleared advisors and through consultations with other agencies as well.

     But it ultimately will become public, but we do have to go through those processes.

     And on intellectual property, there are, you know, very specific, substantive, important commitments that China is making in all of the key areas of intellectual property, including in the areas of trade secrets, pharmaceutical-related intellectual property patents, the issue of geographical indications, as well as protections on trademarks and enforcement against pirated and counterfeit goods, as well as in the area of online infringement.

     There's also changes being made in the areas of the criminal and civil procedures for enforcement of IP.  So these are really significant, substantive commitments in this area, and again, will all be enforceable through the strong enforcement mechanism that we have.

     Q    Thank you so much for having the call.  I was wondering if you could maybe read out the exact phrasing for how China is required or suggested, or has a goal of purchasing these agricultural and other goods that Ambassador Lighthizer mentioned earlier.  I just wanted to understand how binding that was, how likely they are to meet that goal, and then whether it triggers the enforcement mechanism for -- there would be, you know, some kind of tariffs snapback or some other consequence if those numbers that Ambassador Lighthizer and President Trump mentioned aren't achieved.  Thanks.
   
     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Thank you.  And we have a specific commitment from China in these purchases areas over the next two years.  They have committed to increasing their purchases of manufactured good, agricultural goods, energy products, and services by at least $200 billion over the course of the next two years.  There will be breakdowns by, you know, those four categories that I just mentioned.  And that will become publicly available.

     In the agriculture area, we're looking at China making purchases -- commitments to make purchases in each of the next two years, about average, about 40- to 50 billion dollars, which is, you know -- so that's -- given the baseline number that we've looked at in 2017, those are going to be significant increases there.

     So it's -- so these are very significant increases in purchases.  They are commitments that -- that China has made over the next two years with the objective being that that will continue, you know, beyond the next two years as well, and at a similar trajectory.  And then these commitments will be enforceable under the enforcement mechanism, which is applicable to -- to all the chapters of the agreement.

     Q    Yes.  Thanks.  Can you describe some of the structural changes in agricultural trade?  In other words, has any of China's barriers to U.S. agricultural projects, have they agreed to lift any of those?  Such as, for example, biotech approval or growth hormones and (inaudible) and those types of things.

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Yes.  The agriculture chapter has very strong commitments in those areas in addressing, really, a multitude of non-tariff barriers to U.S. agriculture and seafood exports, including for products like meat, poultry, seafood, rice, dairy, infant formula, horticulture products, animal feed, feed additives, pet food.  And it also addresses the really critically important issue of ag biotech as well.  And we -- we're, you know, we think that those are important commitments there as well as in the areas of domestic support and TRQs as well.

     Q    Hi.  Thank you so much for taking the call.  As you’ve probably seen, there was some skepticism about whether the U.S. could actually export 40 [billion] to 50 billion dollars of agriculture products to China.  Was there an evaluation of whether U.S. producers could actually meet those thresholds?

     And then, secondly, I wanted to ask: With regard to digital trade issues, is there anything in the pact that refers to those issues or protections for data?  There’s been some concern from the business community that the IP protections are kind of 20th century issues rather than 21st century issues.  How would you comment on that?  Thank you.

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Well, thank you.  And, yes, there was certainly an evaluation of what our farmers and growers and ranchers could do, in the way of exports.  And, you know, we of course worked closely with USDA and others on those issues in doing the analysis, and with our stakeholders.  And we are very comfortable that our farmers, ranchers, and growers can meet those numbers.

     And on digital trade, you know, as you know, those are difficult issues.  With China, we’re actually planning to address those in future negotiations.  You know, we couldn’t resolve those as part of the phase one deal, but those are issues we’re very committed to addressing in future negotiations.

     And as to any criticism that this is, you know, not a future-looking trade deal, I think that will clearly be refuted once people know more about what this deal has in it.  It has state-of-the-art protections on intellectual property and all those areas I mentioned.  We have important commitments on technology transfer, which were, of course, an integral part of our Section 301 investigation.

     In fact, for the first time in any trade agreement, China has agreed to end its longstanding practice of forcing or pressuring foreign companies to transfer their technology to Chinese companies as a condition for obtaining market access, licensing, or administrative approvals, or receiving advantages from the government.

     They’ve also committed to provide transparency, fairness, and due process in their administrative proceedings, and to have technology transfer and licensing take place on market terms.  And, you know, they’re committing to refrain from directing or supporting outbound direct investments aimed at acquiring foreign technology, which, pursuant to industrial plans, they create distortions.

     So these are really important commitments on critical issues that are very much state-of-the-art.  And I would say that’s true in financial services as well.  And we have important commitments on currency in the area of increasing transparency, as well as substantive commitments on policy issues relating to competitive devaluations as well, which all this is enforceable.

     And the ag biotech commitments as well, in agriculture, are important for the future of agriculture.  So these are all really important commitments.  They’re good for our companies and farmers now, and workers.  But they’re -- you know, they’re going to be important.  This is going to be a very much living document that’s going to be important for the economy moving forward.  It really does go to our future competitiveness on all these areas.

     Q    Hi.  Thanks for doing this.  It’s an interesting list.  But what is left over -- could you perhaps elaborate -- for phase two?  You’ve twice referred to additional issues which have to be done in phase two.  So what is left over which could not be addressed in phase one?

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Well, you know, there are a number of issues that we could address moving forward.  You know, I mentioned data localization and cross-border data transfers.  There’s issues remaining to subsidies and SOE disciplines that could be likely areas that we would want to address, and on cyber intrusions as well.

     So those are all very important but difficult issues.  And there are other important issues that we would want to address.  And that’s why we’re, you know, continuing to keep on the tariffs that we have, because there are other issues that we need to address, moving forward.  And we’re very much committed to doing that.

     And just to go back to a prior question, just to be clear: To the extent of, like, data protections, you know, just in the IP agreement, we do have very strong provisions relating to online infringement.  So I didn’t want to suggest that we’re not covering any of those issues.  I was, really, specifically talking about cross-border data transfers and data localization.  So that’s something that we want to address -- that issue we want to address, moving forward.

     But we have important issues relating -- or important provisions relating to online infringement in the IP agreement.

     Q    Hi.  Thanks for the briefing.  One quick question: Is the first week of January the, sort of, timeline for signing this?

     And then a broader question, could you give us an overview of -- in terms of the structural reforms, as the previous questioner was saying, you seem to have got a lot of this list.  Could you do a, kind of, like -- percentage-wise, out of everything you want to achieve, how much is left after this?

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Yeah, I don’t -- I don’t think I’m in a position really to assess, sort of, what the percentage is that is left at this point.  I mean, there are, you know, important issues that we do expect to address moving forward.  And the expectation is, I think, that this would be signed the first week of January.  And that’s what we’re targeting.  We do have to go through these legal processes, but that’s what we’re targeting at this point.

     Q    Yes, thank you.  If you wouldn’t mind just kind of sketching out the basics of the strong dispute resolution system referred to in the USTR press release.  Thank you.

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Sure.  So there is a strong, effective enforcement mechanism that we have, that we think really will ensure that we have a rapid and effective implementation and enforcement of the agreement.  There will be, you know, a mechanism set up which will be led by the USTR, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Vice Premier.  And there will be an office set up to assess the implementation and attempt to resolve disputes.

     So there will be process.  And in a certain amount of time, it will start at the designated official, or working level, and then will rise up to my level, the [redacted] level, and then if an issue cannot be resolved, it will ultimately go up to the minister level.  For us, it would be USTR; for them, it would be the Vice Premier.

     So there is this -- you know, that process has a very specific timeframe for those various steps to proceed.  And if ultimately we’re not able to resolve the dispute, you know, the complaining party is able to take a responsive action in a proportionate way that it would deem appropriate.  And then there would, sort of, consultations on that as well, as to what action would be taken. 

     Q    Hi.  Charlie Spiering from Breitbart News.  You mentioned the penalty and the enforcement mechanism, but do you have any sense of what that enforcement mechanism will be?  Is there going to be any additional tariff threatened if they fail to meet these thresholds?  And also, why didn’t China specify the level of agricultural purchases?

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Yeah, I can’t really speak to why they didn’t specify that.  And the purchase levels are what I laid out, and I can’t speak to why they didn’t talk about that.  And there are specific commitments on that, and they are in enforceable.

     And so then there will be -- as I mentioned, there will be these four categories that I laid out.  But also, there will be specific subcategories as well.  But the numbers there will be in a document that will be classified and confidential because of the possible -- if those numbers got out -- you know, potential market effects or also potential disclosure of business proprietary information.  So we’re trying to, you know, avoid that.  But those are all laid out, and they are specific commitments.

     And as for this enforcement mechanism, it is a very specific enforcement mechanism that’s laid out in the chapter.  And the procedures are specifically laid out, and that timeframes are laid out.  And this is going to be a very prompt, effective mechanism.  And then, ultimately, if the complaining party decides -- if we decide that China has violated a violation -- or a provision of the agreement, we can take responsive action and/or suspend concessions under the agreement.

     So it's something that we can take action.  It could be potentially in the form of tariffs, but we have the ability to take that action if they are not -- if they are abiding by their commitment.

     Q    Hello.  I was wondering if you could talk about the currency provision that's in the agreement -- whether that includes central banks and whether or not the chapter in the deal is modeled on the USMCA, and any other details that you can provide on the currency issue.

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Great.  Thank you.  And it is based on what we had in the USMCA -- similar to that.  And as I mentioned, it includes both policy and transparency commitments in that area, and it requires commitments to refrain from competitive devaluations and targeting of exchange rates.  It also would significantly increase transparency and provide mechanisms for accountability and enforcement.

     So these are -- these are enforceable commitments and we think that that’s going to really help to reinforce, you know, macroeconomic exchange rate stability and ensure that China cannot use its currency practices to unfairly compete against U.S. exports.

     MR. DEERE:  With that, I do want to thank our briefers for assisting us today.  Just a reminder that Mr. Kudlow's remarks at the top were on the record and that [senior administration official]'s comments during the Q&A portion have been on background, attributable to a senior administration official.  Your embargo lifts with the conclusion of this call, and we thank you for joining us today.

                                   END                2:58 P.M. EST